Leather care for new car?

[LaTuFu]

Hi, all.

I recently purchased a new car. I'm not new to detailing (for myself, not as a professional), but I am new to owning a leather interior.

I've read many of the leather care threads in here, and they are excellent. Thanks to all of you that have contributed to them.

Is there anything extra/additional that I should do to a new leather interior the first time? Is there anything I don't need to do?

I am thinking that I should only have to clean/vac wipe down with woolite, then followup with a good leather conditioner/protectant. It doesn't seem like I really need to use a leather cleaner at this point, since everything is new. I would appreciate your input.

Feed back please

 

[Jimmie]

Routine conditioning and it will last a long time. I'd just get a good leather cleaner and conditioner. I use Pinnacle. Wolfgang is good. There was a thread recently where the person had used Lexol for 10 years and the seats looked new.

 

[ScottB]

Connollys, Pinnacle, or Four Star make nice leather cleaners for upkeep and normal use. Leatherique makes one of the best rejuvinators when needed.

 

[LaTuFu]

Thank you! I had gathered from other reading that Leathrique was probably more than what I needed at the moment. Thanks for the references. I've been looking at the Pinnacle and Lexol kits, I reckon I'll be moseying on over to the shopping area now...

 

[Matt S.]

You'll definitely love the Pinnacle especially in comparison to Lexol. The scent of Pinnacle Leather Conditioner = awesome! Or if you want a 1-step product, the Cleaner & Conditioner works very well too!

 

[LaTuFu]

I've seen some other threads where Leather Master is recommended. How does Pinnacle compare? Similar?

 

[supercharged]

Four Star, Wolfgang, Pinnacle are all very nice. Another nice one is Leather Master. Surf City Garage is not bad at all, I've heard.

 

[TOGWT]

The keys to leather care and its preservation are keeping leather;
(a) Hydrated - by using water-based products
(b) Clean - as dirt / grit and subsequent friction cause the finish to wear.

A leather protection product is essential as it will protect the surface finish and makes dirt easier to clean off.



Cleaning leather may be accomplished by using a mild soap and water, or specifically designed leather cleaner. Of all the products I have tried, I still prefer Leather Master’s, its pH balanced; water-based formula gently cleans without drying leather upholstery. (Leather Soft or Leather Strong Effects) Leather Master Products are used as a ‘benchmark’ by other leather care product vendors. All water-based cleaners will remove any body oil or salts, dirt and grime and wash them from the leather surface.

 

[Matt S.]

Leather Masters is decent stuff...leaves a pretty nice finish but the scent really doesn't do it for me.

 

[LazerRed1]

Thought I had read on some of the older posts that leather seats had a finish applied to the leather which prevented any type of conditioner, etc. from actually reaching the leather and just stayed on the surface. Not true?

 

[Matt S.]

I don't know about all that...all I know is that taking care of your leather will make a HUGE difference in the long run, which is what truly matters.

 

[Junebug]

Cleaning - use Woolite 8:1. Conditioning - try Sonus or 1Z. My 2 cents for Friday.

 

[TOGWT]

Thought I had read on some of the older posts that leather seats had a finish applied to the leather which prevented any type of conditioner, etc. from actually reaching the leather and just stayed on the surface. Not true?

Leather Conditioners:
I have discussed this issue with many people in the leather tanning / preservation / care products industry and haven't received a definitive answer.
My issues are;

(a) How much conditioner will permeate the thick polyurethane top coat on the leather

(b) Chrome tanned leather hides are sealed at the tannery and then pigmented; what could a conditioner do for the hide?

Approximately 90% of vehicle manufacturers are using a split-leather hide and a (thermoplastic) polyurethane covering for their interior upholstery. Vehicle upholstery is chrome tanned and uniquely treated with a light pigmented urethane coating and / or a vinyl covering to make it more viable for automotive seating. It retains the softness of natural top-grain leather but resists fading in direct sunlight, which besides body oil is leathers worst enemy.

The complex tanning process of chromed tanned hides results in the fat liquoring and oils necessary to keep the hide soft and pliable being locked in, this is further sealed by a durable polyethylene covering to protect the hide from abrasion from clothing as well as the dust / dirt introduced by the vehicle’s AC system.

This type of automotive upholstery finish should not be considered a natural leather hide as far as care and its maintenance is concerned, only requiring that you maintain its moisture and protect it from ultra violet (UV) radiation. A water-based cleaner will permeate the polyurethane covering as its molecules are much smaller

[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']Leather Protection is far more viable and will provide better long-term benefits than a conditioner as so many so called leather conditioners utilize chemical solvents in order to facilitate penetration of there oils; this has a detrimental effect of the polyethylene covering causing fissures (cracking). If your leather upholstery is becoming inflexible use Leather Master’s Vital, as leather requires re-hydration (moisture replacement) not a leather conditioner[/FONT]

 

[supercharged]

Leather Masters is decent stuff...leaves a pretty nice finish but the scent really doesn't do it for me.

As far as the scent, yeah, it doesn't smell pretty...but it's the only option to use if leather sqeek bothers you. I only used rejuvenator, and I will tell you it rejuvenates even better then Leatherique. AG should consider adding this brand...You guys still carry Liquid Glass...anyone ever purchases any product of that brand? I never heard ANYONE EVER talking about that brand...